Chiangrai’s Rice will Help Nation

 

Strong output from Chiangrai and other northern provinces is likely to offset the flood-damaged rice crop, easing fears that Thailand could face supply shortages later this year.

According to Korbsook Iamsuri, the president of the Thai Rice Exporters, production of Hom Mali fragrant rice and black both paddy rice harvested in the Northeast is expected to increase at least 20% of the previous season.

The growth was attributed to water and high rice prices set by the rice program and promised that began earlier this month.

The Northeast region, where 33 million rai have been used to plant the main rice crop produced 11 million tonnes of rice last year.

“Our preliminary reports show that the productivity of rice in the area recorded a record high,” said Mrs. Korbsook.

This would overcome the speculation that the country could face a rice shortage in the next two months due to many rice fields have been flooded.

Previously, the permanent secretary for commerce, Yanyong Phuangrach, estimates that 8-9 million tons of rice, or 5 to 5.6 million tonnes of milled rice, could be damaged by the floods, which also affected the rice stored in 35 deposits.

Still, Mrs. Korbsook confident that the supply of non-flooded in the northern and northeastern provinces will enter the market soon.

Despite severe flooding, rice exports 427 650 tons were active from October 1-18, compared with 456,000 tons during the same period last year.

But exports will struggle to match an average of one million tons per month in the first nine months of this year, which brought the total rice exports to 9.45 million tonnes from October 18.

The Office of Agricultural Economics also expects an increased supply of the Northeast, especially the second crop of rice, through the provision of adequate water in natural reservoirs to promote the growth of upland rice, or gift Khao.

The office said yesterday that the rice plantations comprising a total 13 million to 15 million rai of farmland affected by floods. Updated revenue losses in the agricultural sector amounted to 80 billion baht.

Rice farmers initially receive compensation of 2,222 baht per rai, 3350 baht to 5098 baht crops and kitchen gardens.

Rice prices in Thailand, the benchmark for Asia, have fallen 0.5% this week as a weakening baht made the grain more cheaply, according to the Rice Exporters Association of Thailand.

The price of 100% grade B white rice fell to $ 622 a tonne from $ 625 a week earlier, a spokesman said after the week’s association meeting pricing.

Chiangrai times – Anna Wong